Keep Your Boss Out of Your Genes … Please

Would you use an online dating service from your employer? Of course not. It’s too personal ... none of your employer’s business. So why would people sign-up for genetic screening from their employer? Because it’s available and partially funded by your company? Because you cannot access genetic screening on your own by contacting these same providers? 

Today’s Wall Street Journal (click here) has a mostly positive view of this emerging employee benefit. For instance: “Twenty-nine Jackson Laboratory employees took ‘spit tests,’ sending small amounts of saliva in vials to be tested for variations on three genes—DRD2, an ‘eating behavior’ gene; MC4R an ‘appetite’ gene and FTO, a ‘body fat’ gene—associated with higher body fat and weight.” So far, I’m not impressed. The boss wants you to lose weight because it could cost him. He’s not testing you for cancer. The following is really disturbing: “Along with test results, Newtopia offers coaching based on the findings. For example, the company would advise more high-intensity exercise for a person whose ‘body fat’ gene suggests they are likely to retain fat.” Bottom line: Keep your boss out of your love life and your genes.